We recently connected with Mariah Frances and have shared our conversation below.

Mariah, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today If you could go back in time do you wish you had started your creative career sooner or later?

I wish I could’ve started my creative career sooner than later. However, God‘s timing is really important in my life. I started modelling in 2018. I had a hard time connecting with people who were models on social media, especially on Instagram. I reached out to many Cleveland area models, and they did not respond to me on Instagram. However, I reached out to a a group on Facebook Called the Ohio Fashion and Beauty network and introduce myself to the admin. From there, I did my first photo shoot at the Cleveland Museum of Art with a photographer and her. After, we developed a friendship and rapport and now she’s one of my close friends. So with that being said, I don’t think I would’ve changed my experience because I learned to work with a lot of people and get my name out there. In addition to this, I got to be in a lot of Cleveland fashion shows, and worked with a lot of photographers out of Cleveland.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

My name is Mariah Parker, but I go by Mariah Frances. I am based out of Cleveland, Ohio, Born in Shaker Heights, raised in Beachwood. I graduated from Bowling Green State University with a bachelors in gerontology. I have a Soft spot for the elderly population and I love modeling. I do have a lot of other things that I enjoy Such as: Playing the piano, I love to paint, draw and hang out with my cat. I found a new love with DJing, as It brought me opportunities to perform at birthday parties, baby showers, and even BSide on Coventry.

As a model I have accomplished a lot of great work. As I stated before I have done many Cleveland fashion shows I have walked for Fashion Week Columbus from 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022. In 2019 I walked in the finale, runway show for the headliner Christian Cowan who was just at the Met Gala this year with Sam Smith.
FRISKMEGOOD’s Cierra Boyd has also contributed to my modeling career in that I’ve modeled for many of her shows here in Cleveland, from 2019-2023.
I started my New York fashion week career in February February 2022 when I walked for DRMVZN (based of of Cleveland, Ohio) for Indie Fashion. Around the same time I was able to walk in another New York show called Small Boutique Fashion Week. In September 2022 I was able to walk for Runway 7, and Daniel Leather’s Fashion Show. I also have the opportunity to attend Coco Rocha’s Model Camp. learned so much about posing, modeling, and even the business side of modeling. I got to shoot and receive direction from Coco Rocha herself! I have taught Runway classes with my traveling model sis Deja Natei and they have been very successful.
With all these accomplishments, America’s Next Top Model Victoria Henley reached out to me to be a part of her Magnifiqe Fashion Show in Pigeon Forge, TN. In 2023 I walked in Rise NYFW, and finally my first paid gig Flying Solo 2023! Recently this summer of 2024, I was able to walk for Lorain’s own: Jevon Terance in his fashion show this past June (which was an honor), and prom dress/fashion designer: Cierra Hicks First Uncoventional Fashion Show as well. I met another America’s Next Top Model Vet Bianca Golden at our First Annual Cleveland Fashion Gala. I hope to also teach more classes in the future. I look forward to showcasing my talents this season in NYFW and even Milan.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

One lesson I had to unlearn in my modelling career is you’re not gonna get picked by every designer in a show. Or you’re not going to get picked at all for a fashion show. This is an ongoing thing that I have with myself and some other models. I always feel like there’s something wrong with me when I don’t get picked for a show or a designer. But I have to remember that people want certain looks, and I believe that I have a high fashion look and not everyone is looking for that at least in Cleveland, and then there’s the saying that says know you’re worth and add tax. And that always resonates with me.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can provide some insight – you never know who might benefit from the enlightenment.

I think some models in Cleveland are quick to say that they deserve better, because they’ve done so many shows in the city. However, I feel like if you are serious about modeling, you should definitely perfect your craft. You’ll have to go through some harrdships. You’ll have to go through some uneventful shows: getting treated poorly, not being fed, not being picked, not being seen not getting your photos or videos back, just to see the light at the end of the tunnel. It’ll all be worth it in the end. I feel like some models these days are getting things handed to them on a silver platter when we have models who have been through the “storm” and still have been successful. My advice is to learn the different styles of fashion shows and find your niche. I feel that goes with photo shoots as well and collaboration.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @mariah_franc3s
• Facebook: Mariah Parker
• Twitter: MizzParker15
• Soundcloud: https://on.soundcloud.com/bNRrBy6LraM9cYYaA
• Other: TikTok: mariahnotcarey93

Image Credits

@musedphoto
@visualm3
@mynameisdominico
@matticly
@__hym
@mannywallace
@ericg_photo
@occularodyssey